In June 2016, I was accompanying my husband on his official trip to EPIC headquarters in Verona, Wisconsin. To entertain myself , I googled Things to do in Madison (Verona is a suburb of Madison) and voilà, Olbrich Botanical Garden is in top five list. I immediately got ready and called for a taxi . On arrival, I saw Bolz Conservatory’s much talked about glass pyramid. It is filled with tropical /subtropical common and rare plant species. Enough for me to buy a 2$ ticket and feel the tropical bliss with small rushing waterfall, fragrant orchids , koi fishes , quails and birds.
During my visit this time of year (June), The show stopper was “Dracontium gigas“. Some other flowers which I had never seen before were ginger white flower, Walking Tree roots and Lace flower vines
I stepped out for outdoor gardens. These gardens are open for public. Entry to the garden is free. Let me list the garden sections for you.
- Rose Garden
- Sunken Garden
- Perennial Garden
- Meadow Garden
- Rock Garden
- Wildflower Garden
- Rain Garden
- Serenity Garden
- Shade Garden
- Eunice Fisher Hosta Garden
- Birch Walk
- Thai Pavilion & Garden
- Herb Garden
This time of the season Rose, Herb, Hosta, Thai, Shade, Sunken and wildflower garden were very welcoming.
- Winner collection of Climbing Rose and fragrant Rose Tower. Click , Click Click 🙂
- Soak in sun with cool breeze from lake Manona in Sunken Garden
- Enjoy different variegated types and size of hosta
- Have you heard of Dye herbs ?. It was first time I was hearing and thought of my sister for her kid’s school project.
- Do not miss the, “Touch and Smell Section” in herb section
- If bird watching is in your list then stroll around Birch and Shade Garden.
- Thai Garden, It has the Sala which is only one of four located outside of Thailand. The others are in Germany, Norway, and Hawaii. Manufactured in Thailand and assembled in Wisconsin. It is a masterpiece which is appreciated by all visitors in all seasons.
I spent around 4 and half hour to walk these memorable 16 acres by foot.
Lesson for Home Gardener from Olbrich
- Exemplary initiative to use garden leave as compost.
- Companion planting
- How to setting up a ecosystem equally rewarding for native plant and animals
Explore More on their website – Olbrich Website
Reviews – Tripadvisor , Yelp
Happy Exploring !